Uber and WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle manufacturer, have announced that the companies are launching a robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is the first time Uber will test a fully autonomous car service in the UAE, though the company has already been facilitating tens of thousands of robotaxi rides monthly in the United States.
The robotaxi service will start off with vehicles such as safe trucks. It will feature human safety drivers monitoring the rides for a secure and reliable experience for both passengers and pedestrians. This precaution is in line with Uber’s commitment to safety as it transitions toward fully autonomous operations. The companies set a target to introduce a fully driverless commercial service by 2025.
The autonomous cars will run on some specific routes, for example, between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, and will also provide transportation to and from Zayed International Airport. This expansion into Abu Dhabi marks WeRide’s growing international footprint as it holds permits for testing and operating autonomous vehicles not only in the UAE but also in China, Singapore, and the United States.
WeRide is the autonomous vehicle developer considered one of the leaders in the industry. Uber will invest in the company, listed on Nasdaq, with an interest in SAE Level 4 autonomous driving, without human intervention, in most conditions. It highlights Uber’s continued commitment to integrating autonomous vehicles in its ride-hailing business. This makes it a vital aggregator of self-driving technologies.
During the recent earnings call, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized how well the company has succeeded in forming partnerships with more than a dozen autonomous vehicle companies-a further reinforcement of Uber’s strategic focus on advancing the technology. He said that Uber’s platform offers significant value to these partners, aiding in their deployment plans.
Even though this is a positive momentum, analysts such as Redburn Atlantic’s James Cordwell have cautioned that this new development might put Uber’s core mobility business at risk. In particular, the proliferation of autonomous vehicles will be accompanied by competitive pressure from other companies such as Alphabet’s Waymo, which could both partner with and compete against Uber in the autonomous space. However, Uber remains optimistic about its lead in the growing market for autonomous rides.
